5 Tips for a Successful Job Interview in Taiwan
A job interview is always an important step that determines whether you will get the opportunity or not. For international students and foreigners in Taiwan, in addition to preparing knowledge and skills, you also need to pay attention to the language, culture and working style of Taiwanese people.
Here are 5 tips to help you be more confident in the interview and increase your chances of being accepted into your dream company.
1. Prepare thoroughly before the interview
Taiwanese people highly appreciate preparation. Therefore, before entering the interview room, you should:
Understand the job description (JD): Understand the tasks, skills, qualifications and benefits that the company requires.
Research the company: Learn about the industry, products, culture, core values and development orientation. If you demonstrate this understanding in your answers, you will definitely score points.
Prepare professional attire: In Taiwan, a suit or business attire is a safe choice.
Bring a printed CV and relevant documents: In Taiwan's interview culture, this is basic courtesy. If you have a portfolio, certificate or project, bring a printed copy or laptop to present.
Prepare questions to ask the employer: Usually at the end of the meeting, you will be asked "Do you have any questions for us?" It's safer to prepare at least three questions. Asking too few can make companies believe that the applicant isn't interested, also, remember to avoid asking overly confidential questions. The following examples are more appropriate:
What are the company's benefits? What are your expectations for this position? What is the department's organizational structure?
2. Language - a big plus for foreign candidates
Even if the job does not require Chinese, being able to introduce yourself with a few basic sentences like 自我介紹 (zì wǒ jiè shào) will create a great impression.
A little tip: Prepare a 1-minute and 3-minute self-introduction, in both Chinese and English. This shows professionalism and helps you be flexible in all situations.
If the interview is in English, don't forget to emphasize that you are willing to learn and improve your Chinese. Taiwanese employers appreciate a progressive spirit and the ability to adapt.
3. Attitude in the interview - humble but confident
In the interview culture in Taiwan, attitude is just as important as ability. You should note:
Be humble but proactive: Be confident in yourself but don't brag too much.
Be honest: If you don't know something, admit it frankly and show your willingness to learn.
Answer briefly and focus: Avoid rambling or going off topic.
Be sincere and clear: Don't answer vaguely or in a formulaic way, which can easily make the employer think you are unprepared.
4. Common Interview Questions (and Smart Answers)
Tell us about yourself (1–3 minutes)
👉 Focus on your education, skills, and experience related to the position, state your achievements in your self-introduction as well. In addition, if you've worked for a well-known company, you can mention the company name.
For example, "I'm from OOO. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration from OOO University. I have two years of e-commerce marketing experience. I used to work as a marketing planner for [company name]. In this job, I have helped the company achieve 105% of its annual KPI by….”
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
👉 State 1–2 strengths related to the job. For weaknesses, choose ones that don’t affect you much and turn them into learning opportunities.
For example: “I tend to be a bit impatient when projects are in slow progress, but thanks to that, I learned how to divide work clearly and monitor progress more closely.”
Why do you want to apply to this company?
👉 Show that you have researched the company, and connect your personal goals to their direction.
For example: “I am impressed by the company’s expansion into the Asia-Pacific market, and with my language skills, I believe I can contribute to this strategy.”
What do you know about our company?
👉 Emphasize your understanding of the company's products and services; many companies ask about this!
How to answer: Briefly state the field of operation, then emphasize 1-2 specific products/services of the company. This proves that you are not just browsing the website but are really interested.
For example: “I know that the company provides international transportation solutions and is especially strong in shipping routes to Southeast Asia. Recently, I saw that the company has a new service on smart warehousing, which is very suitable for the digital logistics trend. This is also the area I want to join to learn more.”
🌍 Tip: Don’t just say “I know that your company is a big company in the industry” – too general. Show that you really understand the product/service and link it to your interest in the job.
Why did you leave your previous job?
👉 Avoid badmouthing your previous company, focus on your desire to develop.
For example: “I want to find a new challenging opportunity to develop my project management skills, which was not available in my previous position.”
What do you think about overtime?
👉 Balanced answer: ready when necessary but also want high work efficiency during office hours.
For example: “I am willing to work overtime when there is a tight deadline, but always prioritize arranging work scientifically to minimize OT.”
What is the biggest difficulty/failure you have ever encountered at work?
👉 Share a real situation, talk about how you overcame it and what you learned.
For example: “When I first interned, I was not familiar with the internal process so I was behind schedule. Then I proactively asked my colleagues, read documents and completed the project on time.”
If you encounter continuous difficulties, how will you handle them?
👉 Emphasize your ability to persevere, find solutions and ask for support when needed.
Can you explain the gap time in your CV?
👉 Answer honestly, turning that time into a positive experience.
For example: “During my break, I studied Chinese and took an online course on supply chain management.”
What are your career goals for the next 3–5 years?
👉 Give realistic goals that are relevant to the company.
For example: “I want to become a key employee in the team in the next 3 years, be able to manage projects independently and support teammates.”
5. Culture & small impressions determine success
In addition to skills and experience, the following small details can help you score points in the eyes of Taiwanese recruiters:
Punctuality: Being late is a “loss of points” from the start.
Neat, polite clothing: No need to be too fussy, but absolutely avoid being sloppy.
Ask the employer back: Show that you are really interested in the job.
Be polite but confident: Taiwanese people appreciate humility, but you also need to show your own strengths.
Conclusion
Interviews in Taiwan are not too "difficult" if you prepare carefully and understand the cultural differences. Just pay attention to the language, answering style and attitude, you will easily score points in the eyes of the employer.
If you are on a job search journey in Taiwan, don't forget to Follow Cai DuoDuo Job Bank https://job-list.caiduo.com.tw/ to update the latest career opportunities, along with many useful tips to help you confidently conquer the Taiwanese labor market.
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